CENTRAL FALLS – The Central Falls District-Charter Collaboration Compact, at the Segue Institute for Learning, has received a $10 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Central Falls School District announced Tuesday.

The Central Falls District-Charter Collaboration Compact is a collaborative group of the Central Falls School District and five charter schools including the Blackstone Academy Charter School, Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy, International Charter School, The Learning Community and the Segue Institute for Learning.

According to a release, the award is a result of the compact’s work, since forming in 2011, to encourage district-wide sharing of ideas, resources, and services.

The investment was made to the collaboration in partnership with Civic Builders, a New York-based real estate development firm that works to remove the burden of real estate from charter school administrators.

“I’ve always believed that public schools, whether district-operated or charter, work better, teach better, and students learn more, when everyone is working together and sharing best practices,” said Fran Gallo, Central Falls School District Superintendent, in a statement.

The funds will be used to provide low-interest financing to increase school seats available to the Central Falls community by leveraging other funds to enable compact participating schools to embark on projects to improve and expand the inventory of school buildings.

“This collaboration is a great example of district and charter schools working together for the betterment of all students,” Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee said in a statement. “It shows the quality of our schools can only increase the more we work together.”

Business Women nominations are now open. Nominate women who are Leaders in their field, and Women to Watch, who have potential to be tomorrow's leaders. And, tell us of Career Achievers and Great Mentors! Deadline April 17th.

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.